TFF Raises Money for Peruvian Forests

WASHINGTON, DC – A fundraising drive by the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) to save Peruvian forests is expected to continue through June. The TFF said its goal is to raise $100,000 to help save the forests from slash-and-burn agriculture, mining, and poor and illegal logging.

With the seed money, TFF said it plans to establish a Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) training center in Peru. The facility will require $4 million in cash for operations over five years and $500,000 for equipment and services.

TFF said it has established similar training centers in Brazil, Guyana, Gabon, and Indonesia. The training programs will focus on the companies and communities that work in the Peruvian Amazon, the Peruvian and regional government officials, and university faculty and students.

“When I visited Peru to discuss establishing a sustainable forestry training center, I was received warmly and enthusiastically by thegovernment, conservation NGOs, industry, and international agencies,” Bob Johnston, executive director of TFF, said in a statement. “They believe that this will help their local communities that depend on the resources of the forests see the benefits to the environment and economy, and also see how government would improve with more knowledge. People in Peru are ready for TFF to begin training as soon as possible.”